Chamber cleaning device

ABSTRACT

A chamber cleaning device may include an elongated body having a first end and a second end. A head may be coupled to the first end, and a motivator may be movably coupled to the second end. The motivator, body, and head may be aligned with a central axis. Preferably, four fingers may be movably coupled to the head. An end cap may be operably coupled to the motivator, and the end cap may have a beveled edge. The motivator may be operable to move the fingers towards and away from the central axis by drawing the beveled edge against the finger so that the beveled edge presses the finger away from the central axis.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing dateof U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/618,643, filed on Jan. 18, 2018,which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This patent specification relates to the field of devices for cleaningfirearms. More specifically, this patent specification relates todevices for cleaning portions of a firearm that are proximate to thechamber.

BACKGROUND

When Semi-Automatic and Fully-Automatic rifles are used, carbon andgunpowder residue build up within multiple areas of the firearm. Oneparticular location for excessive carbon build-up is the locking lugrecess proximate to the chamber in the AR-15/M-16/M-4 style rifles. Thisfamily of rifles is employed by NATO Forces around the world, and is themost produced firearm family of the 5.56 mm caliber. For individuals whoemploy this type of firearm in a multitude of climates and conditions,external debris to include sand, dirt, and rust is also a concern.Excessive build-up of carbon residue or other debris can lead tointerruptions in the cycle of operations, including but not limited to,stoppages, bolt seizures and failure to extract. Unexpected stoppagescan become life threatening for the operator in a kinetic environment.

The most well-known solutions to this problem area include a variety ofwire brushes, cotton swabs, and scraping tools. First, brushes andcotton swabs that are flexible enough to reach behind the locking lugsare not rigid enough to scrape away debris or carbon that has becomeaffixed to the locking lug recesses due to high heat and pressure. Thelack of outward pressure to scrape against all parts of the lug recessesis where these designs fail.

Therefore, a need exists for novel devices for cleaning portions of afirearm that are proximate to the chamber, such as the locking lugs andtheir recesses. A further need exists for novel cleaning devices whichare able to reach behind the locking lugs. There is also a need fornovel cleaning devices which are rigid enough to scrape away debris orcarbon that has become affixed to the locking lug recesses. Finally, aneed exists for novel cleaning devices which are able to exert outwardpressure to scrape against all parts of the lug recesses.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A chamber cleaning device is provided. The device may be suitable forcleaning portions of a firearm that are proximate to the chamber, suchas the locking lugs and their recesses. The device is configured toprovide a user-operated, manual adjustment feature to create fullcontact with the recess walls, thus accomplishing a more thoroughcleaning. In some embodiments, the device may include an elongated bodyhaving a first end and a second end. A head may be coupled to the firstend, and a motivator may be movably coupled to the second end. Themotivator, body, and head may be aligned with a central axis.Preferably, two or more fingers may be movably coupled to the head so asto radiate from the central axis, and the motivator may be operable tomove the fingers both towards and away from the central axis.

In further embodiments, the device may include an end cap that may beoperably coupled to the motivator, and the end cap may have a bevelededge. The motivator may be operable to move the fingers towards and awayfrom the central axis by drawing the beveled edge against the finger sothat the beveled edge presses the finger away from the central axis.

In still further embodiments, the finger may be movably coupled to thehead via a hinge and more preferably via a living hinge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an exampleand are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, inwhich like references may indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an example of a chamber cleaningdevice according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial perspective view of an example of a chambercleaning device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of another example of a chamber cleaningdevice according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective exploded view of another example of achamber cleaning device according to various embodiments describedherein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an example of an end capaccording to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an example of a chamber and lockinglugs of a firearm, such as that common to AR-15/M-16/M-4 style rifles,according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 7 depicts a sectional elevation view of an example of a chamber andlocking lugs of a firearm, such as that common to AR-15/M-16/M-4 stylerifles, according to various embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of oneor more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms aswell as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by onehaving ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Itwill be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonlyused dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and thepresent disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overlyformal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number oftechniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefitand each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in somecases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sakeof clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possiblecombination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion.Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with theunderstanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope ofthe invention and the claims.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”,“right”, “rear”, “front”, “side”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, andderivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1.However, one will understand that the invention may assume variousalternative orientations and step sequences, except where expresslyspecified to the contrary. Therefore, the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventiveconcepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions andother physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosedherein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expresslystate otherwise.

Although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. are used herein to describevarious elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms.These terms are only used to distinguish one element from anotherelement. For example, the first element may be designated as the secondelement, and the second element may be likewise designated as the firstelement without departing from the scope of the invention.

As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refersto a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number.Additionally, as used in this application, the term “substantially”means that the actual value is within about 10% of the actual desiredvalue, particularly within about 5% of the actual desired value andespecially within about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable,element or limit set forth herein.

A new device for cleaning firearms is discussed herein. In the followingdescription, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details areset forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the presentinvention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art thatthe present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theinvention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specificembodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

The present invention will now be described by example and throughreferencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternativeembodiments. FIGS. 1-4 illustrate examples of a chamber cleaning device(“the device”) 100 according to various embodiments. In someembodiments, the device 100 may comprise an elongated body 11 having afirst end 12 and a second end 13. A head 14 may be coupled to the firstend 12, and a motivator 15 may be movably coupled to the second end 13.Preferably, the motivator 15, body 11, and head 14 may be aligned with acentral axis 71. One or more fingers 31 may be movably coupled to thehead 14, and the motivator 15 may be operable to move one or more of thefingers 31 towards and/or away from the central axis 71.

The device 100 may comprise a body 11 that may be generally elongated inshape having a first end 12 and an opposing second end 13. In someembodiments, the body 11 may comprise a substantially cylindrical shape.In other embodiments, the body 11 may comprise an elongated rectangularprism shape, an elongated, hexagonal prism shape, or any other shapeincluding combinations of shapes. Optionally, the body 11 may compriseone or more gripping depressions 16, protrusions, texturing, such asknurling, or any other surface feature which may facilitate manipulationof the body 11 by a user.

In some embodiments, the body 11 may be made from or may comprise asubstantially rigid material, such as steel alloys, aluminum, aluminumalloys, copper alloys, other types of metal or metal alloys, ceramicssuch as alumina, porcelain, and boron carbide, earthenware, naturalstone, synthetic stone, various types of hard plastics, such aspolyethylene (PE), Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE,UHMW), polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate,nylon, Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) also known as acrylic, melamine,hard rubbers, fiberglass, carbon fiber, resins, such as epoxy resin,wood, other plant based materials, or any other material includingcombinations of materials that are substantially rigid.

In further embodiments, the body 11 may comprise a flexible materialwhich may prevent damage and abrasion during contact with portions of afirearm. Optionally, the body 11 may comprise a substantially rigidmaterial covered in or with a flexible material. Flexible materials mayinclude natural and/or synthetic rubber material such as latex rubber,silicone foam, silicone rubber, rubber foam, urethane foam, plasticfoam, neoprene foam, latex foam rubber, polyurethane foam rubber, formsof the organic compound isoprene, Polyacrylate Rubber, Ethylene-acrylateRubber, Polyester Urethane, flexible plastics, such as high-densitypolyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP),Polystyrene (PS), Polycarbonate (PC), low density polyethylene (LDPE),or any other flexible material including combinations of materials.

The device 100 may include a head 14 which may be coupled to the firstend 12 of the body 11. In some embodiments, a head 14 may be coupled tothe body 11 by being integrally formed with the body 11, although anyother coupling method may be used. In preferred embodiments, the head 14may comprise a shank 17 and the body 11 may comprise a shank aperture18, and the head 14 may be coupled to the body 11 by inserting all orportions of the shank 17 within the shank aperture 18. Optionally, theshank 17 and shank aperture 18 may be asymmetrical in shape andcomplementary in shape (to each other) to prevent the body 11 and head14 from rotating relative to each other.

The head 14 may comprise one, two, three, four (FIGS. 1-3), five, six,seven, eight (FIG. 4), or more, such as a plurality of fingers 31 whichmay be positioned anywhere on the head 14. Preferably, the fingers 31may be positioned on the head 14 distally to the body 11. A finger 31may be configured in any shape and size. In preferred embodiments, afinger 31 may be configured with a shape having one or more scrapingedges 32. Generally, a scraping edge 32 may be formed by theintersection of two or more surfaces, and the scraping edge 32 may beused to contact and scrape or rub portions of a firearm, such asportions of a locking lug 201 that may be proximate to the chamber 202,in order to remove carbon buildup and other contaminants. For example, afinger 31 may comprise a generally rectangular prism shape as shown inFIGS. 1-4. The finger 31 may comprise two lateral surfaces 33 (extendinggenerally perpendicularly to the central axis 71) coupled to a distalsurface 34 (extending generally perpendicularly to the central axis 71)thereby forming two scraping edges 32 (one at each intersection of thedistal surface 34 with a lateral surface 33). As another example, afinger 31 may comprise a generally rectangular prism shape having twolateral surfaces 33 extending from the head 14 and angled to meet eachother at a single scraping edge 32.

In further embodiments, a finger 31 may comprise a length dimension(LD). Preferably, the LD of the finger 31 may be approximately equal tothe distance between a locking lug 201 and the barrel face 203 of abarrel 200 of an AR-15/M-16/M-4 style. In some embodiments, the LD maybe between approximately 0.25 inches to 0.35 inches. In preferredembodiments, the LD may be between approximately 0.27 inches to 0.33inches. In further embodiments, a scraping edge 32 may extendapproximately the entire LD of the finger 31 so that the scraping edge32 may have a length of between approximately 0.25 inches to 0.35inches.

All or portions of a finger 31, such as a scraping edge 32, may be madefrom or may comprise a substantially rigid material suitable forcontacting portions of a firearm such as the locking lugs 201 and barrelface 203 of a barrel 200 of an AR-15/M-16/M-4 style. In preferredembodiments, all or portions of a finger 31, such as a scraping edge 32,may be made from or may comprise a polymer material that may besubstantially rigid, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP),polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate, nylon, and Poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) also known as acrylic.

In some embodiments, one or more fingers 31 may be movably coupled tothe head 14 via a hinge 19 which may be configured to enable the finger31 to be moved towards and away from the central axis 71. In furtherembodiments, the device 100 may comprise at least two fingers 31 whichmay be movably coupled to the head 14 via a hinge 19. A hinge 19 maycomprise any type of pivotal coupling such as a butt hinge, barrelhinge, butt/Mortise hinge, case hinge, flag hinge, strap hinge, H hinge,HL hinge, piano hinge, butterfly hinge, flush hinge, concealed hinge,continuous hinge, T-hinge, double-acting hinge, Soss hinge, counterflaphinge, flush hinge, coach hinge, rising butt hinge, double action springhinge, tee hinge, friction hinge, security hinge, cranked hinge orstormproof hinge, lift-off hinge, self-closing or self-positioninghinge, flexible material hinge, or any other type or style of hingesuitable for movably or pivotally coupling a finger 31 to the head 14.

In preferred embodiments, a finger 31 may be coupled to the head 14 viaa wing 21, and the wing 21 may form a hinge 19 by being configured as aliving hinge. A so-called “living” hinge, typically comprises arelatively flexible area between two relatively more rigid components,such as a line of thin plastic or flexible metal between thicker or morerigid portions, as is well known in the art. For example, a wing 21 maybe made from plastic which may bend or flex towards and away from thecentral axis 71 thereby allowing the wing 21 to function as and form aliving hinge. In some embodiments, and as perhaps best shown in shown inFIG. 3, a wing 21, forming a hinge 19, may movably couple a singlefinger 31 to the head 14. In further embodiments, and as shown in FIG.4, a wing 21, forming a hinge 19, may movably couple two or more fingers31 to the head 14. the device 100 may comprise at least two wings 21,each movably coupling at least one finger 31 to the head 14. In stillfurther embodiments, each finger 31 may be movably coupled to the head14 via a hinge 19, optionally formed by a wing 21 configured as a livinghinge.

In further embodiments, one or more fingers 31 may comprise one or moredebris depressions 28. A debris depression 28 may comprise a depression,recess, or the like, which may extend inwards towards the interior ofthe finger 31. While in some embodiments, a finger 31 may optionally beconfigured with a generally rectangular prism shape having a widthapproximately equal to the width between two adjacent locking lugs 201,a debris depression 28 may be disposed on a lateral surface 33 so thatdebris loosened by the scraping edges 32 may collect in the debrisdepression 28 and remain therein when the device 100 is removed past thelocking lugs 201. By remaining in the debris depression 28, debris maynot be disloged from contact with locking lugs 201 during removal of thedevice 100 since the debris depression 28 is recessed into the finger 31a greater distance than the width of two adjacent locking lugs 201.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise a motivator 15 whichmay be configured to move one or more of the fingers 31 towards and awayfrom the central axis 71. Preferably, a motivator 15 may be movablycoupled to the second end 13 of the body 11. In other embodiments, amotivator 15 may be movably coupled anywhere on the body 11.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise an end cap 22 which maybe operably coupled to the motivator 15 and which may be operable tomove one or more of the fingers 31 towards and away from the centralaxis 71. The end cap 22 may be aligned with the central axis 71 andpositioned centrally between two or more fingers 31. In furtherembodiments, the end cap 22 may comprise a beveled edge 23 which may bedrawn into contact with one or more fingers 31 of the device 100 via themotivator 15. The beveled edge 23 may press against the finger 31 and/orhinge 19 to cause the finger 31 to be moved towards and away from thecentral axis 71. Preferably, as a greater amount of beveled edge 23 isdrawn into contact with a finger 31, the greater amount the finger 31may be moved away from the central axis 71, and conversely, as a lesseramount of beveled edge 23 is drawn into contact with a finger 31, thegreater amount the finger 31 may be moved towards the central axis 71.In further embodiments, the motivator 15 may be operable to move one ormore fingers 31 away from the central axis 71 by drawing the bevelededge 23 towards the second end 12 so that the beveled edge 23 pressesthe finger 31 away from the central axis 71.

Any suitable method may be used to operably couple the motivator 15 tothe end cap 22. In preferred embodiments, the motivator 15 may beoperably coupled to the end cap 22 via a transfer bar 24. In someembodiments, a transfer bar 24 may be coupled to or within a motivatoraperture 20 formed in the motivator 15, although any other couplingmethod may be used. Similarly, in some embodiments, a transfer bar 24may be coupled to or within an end cap aperture 29 formed in the end cap22, although any other coupling method may be used. In furtherembodiments, the end cap 22 may be movably coupled to the transfer bar24 with threading 25. The motivator 15 may be rotated in a firstdirection to cause the transfer bar 24 to rotate in the first directionand the threading 25 may engage with the end cap 22 to draw the bevelededge 23 into contact with one or more fingers 31 thereby causing thefingers 31 to be moved away from the central axis 71. Conversely, themotivator 15 may be rotated in a second direction to cause the transferbar 24 to rotate in the second direction and the threading 25 may engagewith the end cap 22 to lessen the amount of the beveled edge 23 incontact with one or more fingers 31 thereby causing the fingers 31 to bemoved towards the central axis 71.

In preferred embodiments, the end cap 22 may comprise one or more capguides 26 for engaging with the head 14 to prevent the end cap 22 fromrotating relative to the head 14. A head 14 may comprise a head guide27, and a cap guide 26 may be movably engaged by the head guide 27 sothat the end cap 22 may move towards and away from the first end 12while the engagement between the cap guide 26 and head guide 27 preventthe end cap from rotating relative to the head 14. For example, a capguide 26 may be configured as a protrusion and a head guide 27 may beconfigured as a channel, or vice versa, with the cap guide 26 beingslidably received in the head guide 27, or vice versa.

A motivator 15 may be configured in any size and shape, preferably toallow the motivator 15 to be hand operated by a user. In preferredembodiments, a motivator 15 may be configured as a rotatable knob,wheel, or the like, which a user may rotate in a first direction tocause the fingers 31 to be moved away from the central axis 71 and asecond direction to cause the fingers 31 to be moved towards the centralaxis 71, such as by an operable connection method comprising themotivator 15 coupled to a threaded end cap 22 via a threaded transferbar 24. In other embodiments, a motivator 15 may be configured as alever, sliding switch, or the like, which may be moved towards and awayfrom the head 14 to cause the fingers 31 to be moved towards and awayfrom the central axis 71, such as by an operable connection methodcomprising the motivator 15 slidably coupled to an end cap 22 viatransfer bar 24. In alternative embodiments, a motivator 15 may beoperable to move the fingers 31 both towards and away from the centralaxis 71 with any other suitable operable connection method.

While a user may manipulate or use the device 100 at their discretion,an example scenario is provided below to further understanding of thedevice 100. A user may insert the device 100, head 14 first, into therear of the upper receiver of the firearm. The head 14 and its fingers31 are configured to generally be the inverse of the chamber lugrecesses 204 for easy insertion and minimal manipulation. Once thefingers 31 are within the lug recesses 204, the user may grasp the body11 with one hand. The user then rotates the motivator 15, causing thethreaded transfer bar 24 to pull the end cap 22 inward towards the body11, thus spreading the fingers 31 radially away from the central axis 71and creating outward pressure for the scraping edges 32 of the fingerson the interior walls 205 of the lug recess chamber 206. The user thenrotates the entire device 100 to scrape the scraping edges 32 of thefingers 31 along the walls 205 of the lug recess chambers 206. While thefingers 31 scrape along the walls, the debris depressions 28 collectdebris so that said debris is not left behind when the fingers 31 anddevice 100 is removed. Once the user has completed rotating the device100 to clean the recess walls 205, the user may then grasp the body 11,and rotate the motivator 15 in a counter-clockwise motion in order toreturn the threaded transfer bar 24 and end cap 22 to its originalstate. The user then manipulates the device 100 in such a way thatfacilitates removal of the device 100 from the lug recess 204, thusremoving the debris collected and creating a cleaner, debris-free lugrecess chamber 206.

While some exemplary shapes and sizes have been provided for elements ofthe device 100, it should be understood to one of ordinary skill in theart that the body 11, head 14, motivator 15, and any other elementdescribed herein may be configured in a plurality of sizes and shapesincluding “T” shaped, “X” shaped, square shaped, rectangular shaped,cylinder shaped, cuboid shaped, hexagonal prism shaped, triangular prismshaped, or any other geometric or non-geometric shape, includingcombinations of shapes. It is not intended herein to mention all thepossible alternatives, equivalent forms or ramifications of theinvention. It is understood that the terms and proposed shapes usedherein are merely descriptive, rather than limiting, and that variouschanges, such as to size and shape, may be made without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the invention.

Additionally, while some materials have been provided, in otherembodiments, the elements that comprise the device 100 may be made fromor may comprise durable materials such as aluminum, steel, other metalsand metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard plastics, fiber reinforcedplastics, carbon fiber, fiber glass, resins, polymers or any othersuitable materials including combinations of materials. Additionally,one or more elements may be made from or may comprise durable andslightly flexible materials such as soft plastics, silicone, softrubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations ofmaterials. In some embodiments, one or more of the elements thatcomprise the device 100 may be coupled or connected together with heatbonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip typefasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types offasteners, or any other suitable joining method. In other embodiments,one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupledor removably connected by being press fit or snap fit together, by oneor more fasteners such as hook and loop type or Velcro® fasteners,magnetic type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue andgroove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp typefasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connectionmethod, a turn-to-lock type connection method, a slide-to-lock typeconnection method or any other suitable temporary connection method asone reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the samefunction. In further embodiments, one or more of the elements thatcomprise the device 100 may be coupled by being one of connected to andintegrally formed with another element of the device 100.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described hereinwith reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof,it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art thatother embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/orachieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples arewithin the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplatedthereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A chamber cleaning device, the device comprising:an elongated body having a first end and a second end; a head coupled tothe first end; a motivator movably coupled to the second end, themotivator, body, and head aligned with a central axis; and a fingermovably coupled to the head, wherein the motivator is operable to movethe finger both towards and away from the central axis.
 2. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the finger comprises length dimension between 0.27inches to 0.33 inches.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the finger ismovably coupled to the head via a hinge.
 4. The device of claim 1,wherein the finger is movably coupled to the head via a wing, the wingforming a living hinge.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the fingercomprises a scraping edge.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein thescraping edge is made of a polymer material.
 7. The device of claim 1,wherein the head comprises two fingers.
 8. The device of claim 7,wherein each finger is movably coupled to the head via a hinge.
 9. Thedevice of claim 1, further comprising an end cap operably coupled to themotivator, the end cap having a beveled edge, wherein the motivator isoperable to move the finger away from the central axis by drawing thebeveled edge against the finger so that the beveled edge presses thefinger away from the central axis.
 10. The device of claim 9, whereinthe motivator is operably coupled to the end cap via a transfer bar, andwherein the end cap is movably coupled to the transfer bar withthreading.
 11. The device of claim 9, wherein the end cap comprises acap guide for engaging with the head to prevent the end cap fromrotating relative to the head.
 12. A chamber cleaning device, the devicecomprising: an elongated body having a first end and a second end; ahead coupled to the first end; a motivator movably coupled to the secondend, the motivator, body, and head aligned with a central axis; and afinger movably coupled to the head via a hinge, the finger comprising ascraping edge, wherein the motivator is operable to move the finger bothtowards and away from the central axis.
 13. The device of claim 12,wherein the finger comprises length dimension between 0.27 inches to0.33 inches.
 14. The device of claim 12, wherein the finger is movablycoupled to the head via a wing, the wing forming a living hinge.
 15. Thedevice of claim 12, wherein the head comprises two fingers.
 16. Thedevice of claim 15, wherein each finger is movably coupled to the headvia a hinge.
 17. The device of claim 12, wherein the scraping edge ismade of a polymer material.
 18. The device of claim 12, furthercomprising an end cap operably coupled to the motivator, the end caphaving a beveled edge, wherein the motivator is operable to move thefinger away from the central axis by drawing the beveled edge againstthe finger so that the beveled edge presses the finger away from thecentral axis.
 19. The device of claim 18, wherein the motivator isoperably coupled to the end cap via a transfer bar, and wherein the endcap is movably coupled to the transfer bar with threading.
 20. Thedevice of claim 18, wherein the end cap comprises a cap guide forengaging with the head to prevent the end cap from rotating relative tothe head.